Even if he was strong enough to decapitate enemies with a single strike, Naraku was not a true god.
He would get tired, feel pain, and the bloodline limit sickness tormented his body and spirit incessantly. Only the audience could see his furrowed brow when his back was turned to others, and hear his slightly pained gasps.
Obito worried that Naraku might need to rest, but the latter shook his head, refusing.
Naraku knew in his heart that in this life-or-death crisis, time was life, and he couldn't delay everyone's escape for his own sake.
"[Naraku has to endure such high-intensity combat as soon as he returns, relying entirely on himself... My heart aches for him, boo hoo hoo]"
"[Why is the Healing Seal gone? Without it, how much pain must Naraku be in using his Sharingan?]"
"[Maybe it was destroyed during his rampage and he hasn't had time to reapply it yet]"
"[What to do? Without the seal and constantly using his Sharingan, Naraku won't be able to hold on]"
"[Please, someone save him!]"
"[I don't know how Naraku survived at the bottom of the cliff, sick as he is. Just thinking about it is painful]"
"[Baby Naraku, I beg you, please care about yourself... boo hoo hoo hoo]"
In the close-up, Naraku's eyes were already a bit unfocused, causing him to react a split second slower when enemies approached from behind, almost failing to save Shisui.
Seeing Shisui's crimson eyes, he widened his own in disbelief, only snapping back to reality after dealing with two enemies, then understanding the reason for Shisui's awakened Dōjutsu Power (Pupil Power).
-- Is it because of me...?
-- Shisui is still so young, will he get sick... -- It's my fault again... Naraku continuously blamed himself, his expression bitter and guilty, enduring the throbbing pain in his chest, and silently returned to the front of the group.
Shisui seemed to sense something, looking at Naraku's retreating back, wanting to speak but holding back.
"[Naraku is always pushing himself, boo hoo hoo]"
"[It's over... Naraku now thinks everything is his fault...]"
"[Shisui is very young, but you're still a child too, Naraku]"
"[It's not your fault, Baby Naraku, it's not your fault, ah ah ah ah ah (crying profusely.jpg)]"
"[That phrase, 'It's all your fault,' has become a curse, deeply etched into Naraku's soul]"
"[How long will Naraku be tormented by guilt?]"
Now, there were probably three more floors until they could return to the surface.
Naraku was counting the floors when he suddenly heard rumbling sounds all around him. The entire base was shaking, and the amplitude quickly became so great that it was impossible to stand steadily.
The moment the ceiling cracked, revealing the collapsing scene above, Naraku immediately turned and lunged backward.
A big close-up focused on his eyes; the Three Tomoe instantly transformed into the Mangekyo.
"Get down!"
The screen suddenly went completely dark, with only the continuous roar of the collapsing building, which gradually subsided after a full half minute.
But after the commotion ended, when the screen lit up again, it played the ending theme.
Ending in darkness like this left the audience's hearts lodged in their throats, unable to settle down.
"[The base collapsed!]"
"[So the explosion at the end of the last episode really was Danzo attempting to destroy the evidence]"
"[You can't use the Mangekyo, ah ah]"
"[Naraku won't get hurt, will he... Why does Old Thief always like to torment him, boo hoo hoo!]"
"[This constant cliffhanger is killing me... (vomits blood)]"
"[I want to see what happens next now! Now! (frantic)]"
— —
Naraku sighed again: It feels so good not to have to wait for updates~
— —
The next episode's opening continued the previous darkness; only the children's hurried breathing intertwined in the confined space could be heard.
The screen gradually showed an image, but the color tone was gray, and the clarity was not high, indicating that this was an exclusive God's-eye view for the audience; the characters within still couldn't see each other clearly.
Everyone called out to each other, and a slight cough was interspersed among them. Shisui, in the center of the frame, keenly noticed something was wrong, his expression instantly tensing, and he asked Naraku with a trembling voice.
He waited a second, then received Naraku's normal reply, and a hand reached in from off-screen to gently pat his head.
Shisui's face relaxed a little, then he heard Naraku clear his throat and tell everyone there was still a way out.
Although Naraku's figure never appeared in the frame, his voice was as steady as before, and the audience's hanging hearts slightly eased.
The children responded one by one to Naraku's instructions, except for Obito, who stood with his arms crossed, complaining that Naraku was treating him like a child.
Naraku let out a small breath, seemingly finding Obito's tsundere remark a bit amusing, and smiled very briefly.
At this moment, his profile appeared in the frame, but his long hair fell over his face, so the audience could only see him bending down, kneeling on the ground, and covering his mouth with his left hand.
"[Naraku is really so gentle, boo hoo hoo hoo]"
"[Shisui's panicked look makes my heart melt]"
"[Naraku, a powerful, reliable, and kind older brother]"
"[Why won't they show me his full face, ah ah ah ah! Did something happen??]"
"[Naraku comforting Obito feels a bit doting, hhhhhh]"
"[Good, good, Naraku seems fine!]"
Just as the bullet comments finished reassuring themselves, Naraku's speech began to show abnormalities, his breathing gradually heavy, with very obvious pauses.
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"